PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 August 1916, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, TOLL GATES, I By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, August 3. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Bill was further considered in committee. A large number of new clauses were added to- the Bill. Included in these clauses was one which gives the Govern-or-in-Council power, if he thinks a toll gate established by a borough council is unnecessary or burdensome, to direct the council to either abolish the obstruction or diminish the rates. It further provides that, for the future, borough councils shall not establish tollgates without the permission of the Governor-in-Council. Progress was reported. CENSORSHIP OF FILMS. The Cinematograph Censorship Bill was also considered in committee, a new sub-clause being added giving the right of appeal from every decision of the censor, in such manner as may be prescribed by regulations. The Bill was read a third time and passed. The Council rose at 4 p.m. fc — ■ HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. TRENTHAM CAMP. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Replying to Mr. Webb the Minister of Defence denied that tho hospital at Trcntham Camp was overcrowded, ov that there had been two deaths per day. If such a rumor was being circulated lavished to give it an emphatic and immediate denial. PROLONGATION OF PARLIAMENT. The Parliamentary Elections Postponment Bill was introduced by Governor's message and read a first time. RECRUITING DISTRICTS. Hon. J. Allen stated that the Governor, having signed the Military Service Bill, the first step in connection with that measure had been taken to-day. This wag the division of the Dominion into 21 recruiting districts. MISCELLANEOUS. , The Premier introduced the Wellington I Methodist Educational and Charitable I Trusts Bill, which was read a first time. Hon. W. H. Herries laid on the tabic Parliamentary Paper D 3, dealing with the classification of railway servants. PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONER. Hon G. W. Russell laid on the table the annual report of the Public Service Commissioners. Mr. Wilford said the perusal of the report convinced him that the purpose for which the Commissioners were ap j,ointsd had failed. They were appoint td to effect economy, but the figures slowed that from 1913 to 1010 the cosi of the public service had increased b\ £254,417. Notwithstanding that 131! members of the service were away with the reinforcements, 749 new positions rad been created at a cost of £G9,090, while the general cost of the public srr vice had increased from £874,437 iu 1913 to £1,158,854 in 1910. Wl re, then, was the boasted economy of tllf Commissioners?

Mr. Herdman said a great deal of tlu increase in expenditure by the Com nissioners was due to the inclusion ii iiie salaries list of many temporary em ployees whose salaries had previous], been paid out of other votes, wliil. si me of it was due to the natural in' ciease in the country's work. Critic; i.-f the Commissioners had never mentoned that the service had been class--I'ed that positions had been valued, and that every servant knew exactly where he was. and mat his position was assunj so long as he .vorked honestly, which did not previously exist, while the average salary in all departments had lisen under the classification scheme from £IBB to £194 per annum. Overtime had been regulated, and sick lea\° put on a proper basis. He was confident the public servants would not b j prepared lo go back to the old system o' ministerial control.

The debate was continued by Messrs \7ebb, Ell, Veitch and Payne The House rose at 5.30 BILLS PASSED. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Mr. Herries moved the second reading of the Native Land Amendment and i Native Land Clauses Adjustment Bill, 1910. He deprecated the idea that a large amount of speculation in native lands was going on. but if it was, further checks by legislation would be introduced. The second reading was carried and considered in committee, read a third time and passed. The Orchard Tax- Bill was also read a second time, taken in committee, read a tl-.ird tinje and passed The War Tax Legislation Amendment Bill was reported from committee with amendments, read a third time and passed. ,The House rose at 1.45 a.as.